Dubai Hotels occupancy records sizeable growth during DTCM Sweets Surprises Week

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) yesterday revealed that the hotel occupancy rate in the emirate during the Sweets Surprises Week (10th July-16th July) this year registered a hefty nine per cent hike compared to the increase during the Food Surprises Week last year.

DTCM Director Operations and Marketing, Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb pleased with the achievement said that boost is due to the contribution and pooling of resources as well as efforts by all the hotels in Dubai irrespective of star rating. "All the hotels in the emirate are busy in receiving a large number of visitors and majority of their rooms are occupied. This is a sign of good business, which has contribute immensely to the tourism growth and also to the economy," said Mr. bin Hareb.

He noted that the increase of hotel rooms occupancy rate during the Sweets Surprises Week also indicates that the event as well as the week was well perceived by visitors. It is now also obvious that popularity of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) is growing every year. 

"The emirate caters to the requirements of visitors from all the corners of the world. Dubai's state-of-the art infrastructure and facilities as well as the varied activities it offers are hard to find in any other place," he said.

During the Sweets Surprises Week, the hotel occupancy rate in five star hotels in Dubai increased by 9.44 per cent. The four-star hotels recorded an increase of 17.13 per cent. The three stars hotels showed an appreciable hike of 9.01 per cent.

The number of 2002 hotel establishment guests increased by 31.15 per cent over the year 2001 achieving highest tourism growth in the world.

According to a report published by World Tourism Organisation, Dubai has registered a +30 per cent strong rebound in terms of International tourists arrival in the year 2002 and has occupied the top place in the most frequently visited destinations.

In 2002, the number of average hotel rooms occupied reached to 16,264 as compared to 13,049, in 2001 registering a growth of 24.64 per cent.

Kent Cooper, Director of Sales, The Fairmont Dubai said, "DSS continues to provide exceptional value for families travelling to Dubai both in terms of the activities on offer and the affordability of the destination. July has been a great month for The Fairmont Dubai with continued high levels of occupancy seeing an international mix of visitors step through our doors. Once again the DTCM and DSS have proved that they have their finger well and truly on the pulse of  the regional and international traveller, and Sweet Surprises week was the perfect creative outlet, both for children as well as for the hotels to showcase their culinary skills". Mr. Cooper detailed.

Mr. Habib Khan, General Manager, Four Points By Sheraton Bur Dubai said, "We were very pleased once again with the Dubai Summer Surprises due to the enormous contribution in the room occupancies during summer. It is a wonderful attraction to the families to spend their vacation in Dubai. "The occupancies during summer had increased drastically after the Dubai Summer Surprises has been introduced", said Mr. Khan.

Shujaat Yar, Director, Business Development, Le Meridien Dubai said, "We have found that the travel trends in the past few years have changed  considerably during the traditional lean period of summer. This can be attributed to the significant influence that the DSS has had on the summer business period in Dubai. Our occupancy level has consistently been over  96% and we anticipate this success will continue throughout DSS. Business travellers who used to stay away during the summer months now find that the environment has become far more conducive to combining business with leisure. The myriad world-class activities and entertainment during DSS is an added bonus for them and their families."